2026 Fantasy Baseball Catchers: Position Battles & Backups to Know

Many times, the catcher position is treated like the kicker position in fantasy football, where people want to do away with it. Or, like we’ve seen with some DFS/Best ball sites, effectively do away with the position by lumping it in with first base or the infield as a whole. Most may not like drafting catchers, but in seasonal fantasy baseball, you need to do just that to fill out that lineup, and perhaps twice. Yes, the best catchers in our 2026 fantasy baseball projections are quite pricey, but missing out on an elite backstop is far from the end of the world! There are a few situations across the league that we are going to look at today, or where the backup/future starter is a name that you will want to know. Depending on your league size and setup, you may not be selecting these guys in your 2026 fantasy baseball drafts, but they are names to know as the season moves along. If you are in a very deep league, don’t forget about these guys in the final rounds, as some of them are free when looking at their 2026 fantasy baseball ADP.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at a few situations across Major League Baseball, and look at a few backup catchers in position battles who could deliver meaningful fantasy production when opportunity knocks.

The Washington Nationals Catcher to Draft is…

Harry Ford. I’m taking some liberties here with Ford, as it’s technically an open competition for the starting gig in Washington, and the incumbent, Keibert Ruiz, is in the mix. However, I believe Ford will be this team’s starting catcher to begin the season, and is the far superior fantasy asset between these two. Ruiz hasn’t done anything notable since 2023, and over the last two seasons, he’s slashed .235/.266/.345 while playing below-average defense. Furthermore, how about a 3.2% walk rate, .109 ISO, and -1.3 WAR?

After trading for Ford in the offseason, why not give him a long leash as the primary backstop? He’s better defensively than Ruiz, and in 97 games at the AAA level last season, he posted an .868 OPS with 16 home runs and seven stolen bases.

The ship has sailed with Ruiz, and on this very, very young Washington team, it’s time to add another bat under 25 years old the starting lineup in Ford. The strikeout rate has been manageable in the minors, and his elite walk rate should help him in OBP formats in 2026. Despite his early production in the minors, he won’t be an elite source of stolen bases, but he’s got enough juice to give fantasy managers a few bags over the course of the season (maybe a ceiling of ~12).

Do the right thing, Washington, you won’t regret it.

Fantasy Impact: Fade Ruiz and take a late-round flier on Ford in deeper two catcher setups.

It's Not ONLY Kyle Teel for the Chicago White Sox

Kyle Teel is the starting catcher in Chicago, no questions asked. However, especially in AL-only or the deepest of mixed leagues, don’t forget about Edgar Quero. The team has said most of his starts behind the dish will come against southpaws, and that shouldn’t come as much of a surprise seeing as he posted an .852 OPS and 141 wRC+ against left-handed pitchers in 2025. 

Teel can’t catch every game, so Quero will get a start or two a week behind the dish, and given the state of affairs of this Chicago lineup, and Quero’s propensity to get on base, don’t be surprised if he opens the 2026 campaign as the team’s primary designated hitter. It’s not out of the question! Quero should provide plus-average from behind the dish, though that is likely his best calling card from a fantasy perspective. His offensive profile leans more to quantity of contact more so than quality, but the ABs could be there, and with the unfortunate news of Teel’s injury in the WBC, he could be a very cheap source of production behind the dish to open the season.

Fantasy Impact: Teel is still the catcher you want. However, in AL-only formats, Quero should see more ABs and provide a better batting average than the prototypical backup catcher, giving you an option in the final rounds of drafts to round out your lineup.

Joe Mack: Miami Marlins Primary Catcher by Season's End

Similar to the above situation, Agustin Ramirez is the only Miami Marlins catcher worth drafting to begin the season. The upside is tantalizing, but what I’m telling you here is that by season’s end, Ramirez will not be the primary catcher for the Marlins. Sure, he’ll catch a game or two per week, but he was a poor defender in 2025, and maximizing his bat should be Miami’s focus.

Agustin Ramirez is an enticing fantasy asset, and the upside alone is downright tantalizing. He was poor defensively last season. Like, very poor. See for yourself, courtesy of Baseball Savant:

It’s also worth noting that he posted the second-worst fielding run value amongst catchers with at least 500 innings last season.

So, with all that in mind, what am I saying? I’m saying that Joe Mack will be Miami’s primary catcher by season’s end, and he’s a name to add to your watch list, as he’ll be worth picking up when his time comes. Despite a strikeout rate that will likely sit in the mid-to-upper twenties, he’s a powerful lefty bat coming off a 99-game stint in AAA where he hit 21 home runs with a .209 ISO! Mack would be an upgrade defensively for the Marlins, and fantasy managers will come to enjoy the power upside Mack possesses.

The Marlins likely open the year with Ramirez and Liam Hicks as its two catchers, but Hicks is competing for a role at 1B. It might not be too terribly long until Mack gets called up, and when that time comes, he’s playing a lot.

Fantasy Impact: Agustin Ramirez is the best fantasy asset here, but keep Joe Mack’s name in your mind. He’ll be worth adding once he’s called up, though an elevated strikeout rate will likely suppress his batting average at the big league level.